A meeting was called at Anshi's command, several hours later. Attending were Chieftain Maral, General Ge Ban, Captain Lan Sya Mu, supply controller and cook Dawa Tuya, and Nar Arslan. They were all surprised at the summons, and they gathered on seating and were served tea and steamed buns.

"I have called you all here because I want the camp readied for movement as soon as we can continue. I am sorry for the delay my emotions caused and I will not allow personal matters to overcome me again, to the extent they did over the last few weeks. 

Now that we have secured the treaty with Qian, our...business is concluded and our task for Lan XiChen and Cloud Recesses is behind us, I intend to seek out my tribe's remnants."

Chieftain Maral nodded. "A wise choice. You have completed the obligation to The Lans and the High Minister. It is indeed time for you to seek out what is closest to your own vision. I would like to accompany a while longer, especially if I can see my fourth nephew once again."

"Of course, Uncle. I would have it no other way. The White Temple of Celestial Fulfilment is my top priority. I have not seen my brother since that fateful night, and it is too long since we have embraced. I must see him with my own eyes. The need is great. I will send word and would like it if you could add a scroll as well. He will be immediately cautious about my veracity. He may feel more at ease if your words will back up my identity before I arrive. With his compromised health and his isolation from the world, I hesitate to place my own needs above his."

"Anshi, your worries for him are admirable. But do not over-task yourself, my nephew. He has been in the safety of his chosen vocation, in the security of the temple for many years. However, the toll the visit to Qian took on you has also been hard. Do not rush."

"Uncle, work is the only thing that eases my mind right now. If I keep busy, there is less time to feel sorrow or brood. I need to begin again, fresh, unfettered. Let me be honest. It is the one thing Han has ever asked of me; he needs me to do my part in severing this connection between us. I will do that, for him and for myself. I need the distraction and I need my remaining brothers. They are, once again, my priority."

"So be it. We will travel beside you as far as the Temple. After that we will separate and my tribe will return East. We will have the time to settle into our winter grounds by then."

"I will be sad when that time comes, Uncle, but I understand." The two men looked deeply into each other's eyes; their love, respect and admiration for one another lay there, too strong for mere words. 

The rest of the group turned their faces away for a few moments, to give them some time in silence. Dawa Tuya fought tears away. She would have time to let them fall, later when she was alone with Lan Ge Ban.  His arms would give her the strength to endure the thought of saying goodbye to her brother. In the meantime, she felt his hand close firmly over hers and she gripped it tightly. 

"Lan Ge Ban. " Anshi addressed his General. "I leave it to you to begin the drilling of the regiment. Get them in top fighting order. We must not lose sight of the spy group we dismantled. Someone out there is abnormally interested in our progression and that leaves me unsettled. They mean us harm. We were safe under the protection of Qian. We will be primarily on our own from now on. When they are not drilling, have them assist Nar Arslan and the nomadic leaders to prepare to dismantle the camp.

Nar Arslan, be ready for entry into the Gobi region. It is an environment we are not used to. You and Dawa Tuya must work closely together to make sure all food preparation is ready. Repairs made to yurts, carts and travois, harnessing and equipment. The desert will be hostile and life-threatening at times. Make certain all livestock can withstand the trip there. If any are not strong enough, slaughter them and either smoke the meat or salt it. Lay in a huge supply of gurt. The cheese balls and fermented milk will sustain us if meat supplies run low."

They nodded their assent.  "Yes, Sir!"

Lan Sya Mu. I know the Guardians are sharp but make them even more so. Also, I leave the eagles to you as well. Make certain the younger females are fully trained. If any of the older ones are ready for retirement, give them their freedom. They have earned it. Gather the fledglings and keep them safe as well as the male breeder. See that the windows have heavy doors for travel. No sand must endanger the eagles at any time, same with the geese and chickens. They will be especially venerable."

"Yes, my Chieftain."

"Thank you, all. We will fine tune as we go along, and my list of tasks will expand greatly as I add to it. I know you will be up to it. You are dismissed."

As they gathered afterward, Chieftain Maral spoke up. "I believe he has turned a corner."

Nar Arslan agreed. "I have not seen him so focused, in a while."

"I think we have Minister Han to thank for this. It must have been hard for him to initiate this permanent break. Anshi could not have done it," Lan Sya Mu said softly.

"You are right. It must have hurt Han deeply." Dawa Tuya murmured.

"He is a great man. He has my admiration." Nar Arslan pulled at his mustache as he spoke. "At least their attachment brought them happiness for a while. They had that and not many do."

There was a moment of silence. Chieftain Maral spoke up. "There is much for us to do in the next few weeks. No sense in wallowing in the past. Let's do what is needed and send him off on the next leg of his journey."

Later, late in the afternoon, Anshi asked Lan Sya Mu and the Guardians to accompany him from the camp. They rode for an hour, eagles on their wrists. The birds were allowed to hunt and when several rabbits and a small antelope were caught and brought back, Anshi requested a moment of solitude.

He rode of a short distance, never leaving the sight of his protectors and watched as a hint of color rose toward the West. Then he faced East and began to sing. All behind him recognized the homage from the morning they had left Qian forever. Tears streaked their faces while the song they had secretly dubbed The Ode to Gray Eyes, now echoed through the steppes as Anshi gave full throat to it for the last and saddest time in his life.